A court in Diyarbakır sentenced the busdriver Mustafa Tüzün to 10 months’ imprisonment because he played a Kurdish song in his bus.

Mustafa Tüzün was accused of making terrorist propaganda, because he transmitted the song titled ‘Le Amedê’ from the loudspeakers on his bus when he was the driver for Selahattin Demirtas, parliament candidate of Democratic Society Party (DTP), during his electoral campaign before the 22 July general elections in Turkey.

The song was composed by Kurdish composer Hozan Şemdin at the beginning of 1990s.

The Diyarbakır chief public prosecutor demanded a five year prison sentence. Diyarbakir Fifth Criminal Court sentenced him to 10 months in prison according to Article 7.2 of the Turkish Anti-terror Law, but postponed the declaration of the decision. This prevents Mustafa Tüzün from being able to appeal the decision.

Translation of the song ‘Le Amedê’

Hey Amed

Amed* is rebellion, Amed is rebellionIt is feast of Kurdish people and Amed is centre of heroesAmed is graveyard of Vedat Aydın**Amed wore our flag and it became bride of Kurdish peopleAmed is graveyard of Vedat AydınAmed wore our flag and it became centre of our martyrs

Amed is shiny and colourfulHeroes of Amed broke all chainsAmed is capital city of KurdistanYour name is sweet and you are castle of rebellion, AmedAmed, you have such a excited name for usAnd you are capital city of Kurdistan, Amed

Amed is rebellion, Amed is rebellionAmed is in the heart of Kurdish peopleAmed is graveyard of Vedat AydınAmed wore our flag and it became bride of Kurdish peopleAmed, you faced bier of Vedat AydınAll your heroes wore your flag, Amed

Amed, dont worry for our futureYour mountain is full of guerillas with their weaponOur guerillas spread hopes for you, AmedOur people have been struggling for thousands years for you, Amed

And now our people are awake again for you, AmedSo Amed, wear our colourful flag and be our bride

All of our people promised to you, Amedthat they will fight against preyer of labourOur flag with gren, red and yellow is awaiting for you, AmedAnd we want to keep our flag flying in your castle, Amed

Amed is rebellion, Amed is rebellionIt is feast of Kurdish people and Amed is centre of heroesAmed is graveyard of Vedat AydınAmed wore our flag and it became bride of Kurdish peopleAmed is graveyard of Vedat AydınAmed wore our flag and it became centre of our martyrs